Lance86 Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 A year or so ago I purchased 40 acres of land in Menominee Co. Michigan. In August, I put in a food plot that is about 1.25 acres in size. I planted Evolved Habitat "Shot Plot". It came up real quick, but the deer never let it get above 3-4 inches tall- it was overgrazed in no time. Even the turnips were eaten down before the first frost. The area has a high density of deer and I'm wondering what I can do or plant to allow the crop to mature more before the deer get to it. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 I dont know what your situation is but from the sounds of it the amount of deer you have you may need a bigger plot... and you dont have to use expensive stuff to have a good plot, really all you need is some rye mixed with some clover.... the good thing about the clover is it usually comes back the next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Think I would probably plant a perennial clover mix in a seperate plot along with your annual plantings. That would give them something else to eat before the frosts and might keep them off those annuals so early on. If your density is too high though you may have to plant larger plots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Good answers above so I'll take the less Politically Correct approach....................Shoot more deer. That area up there has more deer than the habitat supports overall. You will be drawing deer from the surrounding area with a prime food source like you are providing. Buy more lead and arrows. If you don't have additional acreage to plant, talk to your neighbors about putting in plots and get a cooperative going amoungst them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeaveragehunter Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 That sounds like a good problem to have, but TOO many deer never is. Like they said...Bigger plots or take the more does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance86 Posted January 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 At our camp and all surrounding camps, we (the adults) have made it a point to harvest mature bucks only. However, the kids have their choice of what to harvest. With this management strategy, we have managed to take several antlerless from the herd for each of the past two seasons. All of the owners in the surrounding +/- 400 acres are taking the same strategy. However, taking even more needs to be considered. In one sitting this past November, we had 16 does on the 40 acres (between three different stands) at the same time, and that really isn't all that uncommon. I plan to put in another large plot in the spring and two smaller ones in August- hopefully that might alleviate some of the pressure on the current plot. The area has a lot of corn and bean fields, but the closest ones are two miles away so I suppose they are feasting on the greens or other bait that the locals put out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 It has been my experience that brassicas like shot plot can get plowed down in a hurry. Next year you need to plant a variety. Try to get at least another acre and plant a mix. My favorite fall mix includes: 25# wheat 25# rye grain 25# oats 3# shot plot 15# austrian winter peas per acre. This mix will last longer and handle grazing pressure much better than brassicas alone oh yea-shoot more does! Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance86 Posted January 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Do you plant in the spring or late summer? Seems like the peas would need a bit longer growing period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted January 10, 2010 Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Do you plant in the spring or late summer? Seems like the peas would need a bit longer growing period. late summer, they dont take that long to grow and (if Im not wrong) the winter peas Ive seen arent like a purple hull pea plant, its more of a grass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 10, 2010 Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Don't be taken in by published recommended % figures! Take a long hard look around you as to what is being grown and work off your own findings. You grew some good Brassicas and they got eaten too soon. This is probably because you were unique in your seed selection. If so, you should plant alot more and see what results are in deer attraction. If they like the brassicas that well don't quit planting them because they were eaten too soonly. You may be onto a planting the deer prefer from other nearby food sources. Ex: if there are alfalfa, corn or clover fields nearby don't try to compete but offer your deer something different they like. Seems as though the deer really liked the brassicas. Replant more and watch for activity. Several times I have seen numbers thrown out there as to how much of this or that, annuals or perienuals should be planted. I discount these numbers as a gray area only for the totally inexperienced planter. You obviously have had some some exposure. Now put your knowledge to work and plant seeds which will attract and hold your deer. I have found a variety of food sources works well. Remember, you would like Prime Rib often but a pizza is good once in a while. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 11, 2010 Report Share Posted January 11, 2010 Do you plant in the spring or late summer? Seems like the peas would need a bit longer growing period. these are a winter pea so you want to plant very late summer. I usually plant the first of September here in Oklahoma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 11, 2010 Report Share Posted January 11, 2010 Doc, Is this a mix you buy or have put together? Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubledrop Posted January 11, 2010 Report Share Posted January 11, 2010 a little deer management will help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance86 Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Thanks for the comments. Does anyone have experience with planting soybeans? I have gotten a lot of suggestions that say I should plant some in the spring, but I don't have a planter. Is there any chance that the seed will germinate if it is simply broadcasted onto the soil? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Don't know how soybeans do in your area, but yes they can be broadcast. I'm with Todd on the winter peas, they always do well for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Don't know how soybeans do in your area, but yes they can be broadcast. I'm with Todd on the winter peas, they always do well for us. Have had pretty good luck with broadcasting soybeans here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance86 Posted January 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Thanks Redneck. Beans actually do very well in our area and they're pretty low maintenance. I kind of like the idea of having them as a late season food source. I do a lot of late season hunting in December when there is usually 12" or so of snow on the ground and they would accessible to the deer.That's great to hear that they can be broadcasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 no problem with broadcasting soybeans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance86 Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Great plot doc. I'm gonna give the beans a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter109 Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 i would say you should plant some kind of summer plot and then plant two or three diffrent typs of plants that will come up at diffrent times that is how you get away from that but it might not always work but most of the time it dose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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